Camping in the winter can be adventurous and exciting, but it also needs more prepping on your side. You can’t go camping in the winter the same way you do in the summer.
If you never tried winter camping before, doing some research before is highly recommended. The equipment you’ll use is different and your main focus will be to stay warm and dry.
No one wishes to experience frostbites and hypothermia, which can be lethal in some circumstances.
The tent is one of the most important items for camping adventures. If you want to enjoy safety and comfort in the outdoors, investing in a reliable tent is a must. In case you plan on camping throughout the year, you should seriously consider getting a 4-season tent. This way, you can use the same tent no matter when you plan to go camping.
But, is the 4-season tent necessary for camping in the winter?
The answer to this question is yes. If you want to be safe no matter how the weather will be, a 4-season tent will give you that protection. It will resist snowfall and will keep you safe in case the wind reaches high speeds. If you want to make winter camping part of your life, getting a high-quality 4-season tent is what you need to make it happen.
The 3-season tent could be an option, in certain situations
When camping in the winter, the tent should be able to withstand snowfall and stronger winds. Not to mention that they should insulate properly and keep you warm, regardless if it’s day or night.
In theory, a 3-season tent could be used for winter camping. But, if you want to use such a tent, you should position it under a thick tree or be certain that it won’t snow at all.
These tents are quite resistant, but they are not that great on stormy weather or heavy snowfall. Also, you will need proper insulating clothes and sleeping bag when camping in a 3-season tent during the winter.
A 4-season tent is better if you want sufficient protection
In terms of sturdiness, a 4-season tent is much more reliable. It was made to resist any kind of weather throughout the year, so you can be sure it will be a good choice for winter camping.
The poles of a 4-season tent are more resistant and its fabrics more capable of dealing with heavy snowfall and strong winds. Besides this, the rainfly of such tents extends almost to the ground, preventing any snow or water to get inside the tent.
A 4-season winter tent can indeed be a bit heavier than a 3-season tent, for example, but the degree of protection is higher due to more resilient materials.
When selecting a tent for winter camping, you should seriously consider the interior space. You will need some space to store inside your gear, keeping it away from the weather.
But, at the same time, you should keep interior space to a minimum. This way it will be easier to get warm and keep the warmth on the inside. So, think well before you decide upon the size of your 4-season tent.
Your choice could have a high impact on your comfort when camping.
Proper sleeping bags and sleeping pads
No matter how great a 4-season tent is, you will still need a sleeping pad and sleeping bag when camping in the winter. The biggest challenge when winter camping is to stay warm and away from frostbites and hypothermia.
So, pay extra attention to the sleeping bag you are about to use. There are sleeping bags that are insulated and suitable for camping in the winter, but, even so, they address a variety of temperatures.
As a general rule, you should get a sleeping bag capable of offering protection to temperatures with 10 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the ones you expect on experiencing. Don’t worry if you’ll get too warm, as you can always open the zipper and vent your sleeping bag.
Although an adequate sleeping bag can keep you warm, you should have extra protection against the frozen ground. A sleeping pad is capable of preventing loss of warmth and helps you enjoy a comfortable sleep. If you want to camp during winter, you should use two sleeping pads.
One sleeping pad made out of cell foam should be placed directly on the tent’s floor. And a second inflating sleeping pad should be placed on top of it.
This sleeping pad combo will keep you safe and comfortable throughout the night. Not to mention that the foam pad will offer protection in case the inflatable pad losses its properties.
Your backpack should also be slightly larger
One of the basic rules of camping is to travel light while having everything you need with you. Considering that winter camping requires thicker clothes and more equipment, you may need a larger backpack.
Again, this doesn’t mean to carry large weights along. But, you will need a bit of extra space for those thick clothes, blanket, sleeping pads, portable stove, and other necessary items.
To avoid overloading your backpack, create a list with necessary items and plan well before leaving home.
Just do remember that there are rules for setting up a tent in the winter. The ground should be as flat as possible in the area where you wish to set your tent.
So, leveling it up with your knees or feet is recommended. Ideally, you should do this during the day, when the snow is softer. Also, check to see if there are any sharp items on the ground, like rocks, which could puncture your tent and ruin your camping adventure.
Replace regular tent stakes with snow stakes, which are stronger when the tent will support the weight of fresh snow. Check the stakes after installation, to ensure that your tent is secure, even in storms and fast winds.
Leave a Reply